St. Louis Mo.-- NGU Shortstop Allen Staton learned on Friday morning around 11:30 am that his baseball career will continue after inking a free-agent deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Staton led the Crusaders in seven offensive categories. The four-year starter posted a .386 batting average with 83 hits and 44 RBI. Staton was 13th in the NCAA with 23 doubles while also distributing 11 home runs and five triples. The middle infielder, who rotated several other spots on defense during his tenure in Tigerville also led the Crusaders with 53 runs scored.

Staton becomes the second Crusader to ink a deal with a Major League Baseball Club this week, following the drafting of Adam Boghosian who was picked up by the Washington Nationals. Allen Staton will begin his professional career on Monday in Jupiter, Florida.